Wigan Athletic swoop for Rangers' Josh Windass

Jay Whittle

Wigan Athletic have completed a deadline-day swoop for Rangers forward Josh Windass for an undisclosed fee.

Windass signed a three-year-deal at the DW Stadium and has taken Latics into double figures for summer signings.

The 24-year-old is Wigan’s second addition on deadline-day, with Callum Connolly joining on a season-long loan from Everton earlier this afternoon.

Windass was initially set to sign for Ipswich Town this afternoon, but Wigan launched a last-gasp move for his services.

Windass was in sensational form for Rangers last term, scoring an impressive 18 goals in 41 appearances and providing eight assists for his Gers team-mates.

The son of Hull City legend Dean - Windass started his football career at Huddersfield Town after signing as a youth player in 2002, before being released in 2012 having spent a decade with the Terriers.

Following his release from Huddersfield Town in April 2012, Windass had an unsuccessful trial with Bradford City before eventually signing a deal with non-league side Harrogate Railway Athletic in December. He played on a semi-professional basis, combining his football career with a job as a construction labourer.

Windass impressed at Harrogate and earned his first professional contract with League Two outfit Accrington Stanley in July 2013.

He enjoyed a three-year spell at Stanley between 2013 and 2016, scoring 22 times in 77 appearances and was offered extended terms at the club in November 2015.

But along with team-mate Matt Crooks, Windass signed a pre-contract with Rangers in January 2016 ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.

He has made 55 appearances for Rangers since 2016 and finished the third-highest top scorer in the Scottish Premier League last season behind Kris Boyd and Alfredo Morelos.

Windass has previously worked with Latics’ assistant boss Leam Richardson, Head of Medical Andrew Proctor and Kal Naismith.

Paul Cook said: “Josh is an exciting player with an eye for a goal and he gives us further strength in attacking positions.”